Carnation plant named &#39;KLEDG10118&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new variety of carnation named ‘KLEDG10118’ particularly characterized by its good branching, early purple pink with dark center flowers and good performance, is disclosed.

GENUS AND SPECIES

Dianthus caryophyllus

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘KLEDG10118’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of carnation, botanically known as Dianthus caryophyllus, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘KLEDG10118’. The new variety is the result of a cross conducted in June 2006 in Stuttgart, Germany between the proprietary female parent carnation plant, ‘Dianthus×allwoodii’ (unpatented) and the proprietary male parent, ‘DCP 06 020’ (unpatented). A single plant selection was subsequently chosen for further evaluation and for asexual propagation. The new variety was first propagated via vegetative cuttings in June 2007 in Stuttgart, Germany and has been asexually reproduced repeatedly by vegetative cuttings in Stuttgart, Germany for approximately six to seven generations. ‘KLEDG10118’ has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations via vegetative cuttings.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety were applied for in Europe on Jul. 15, 2010. ‘KLEDG10118’ has not been made publicly available or sold more than one year prior to the filing date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new variety when grown under normal horticultural practices in a greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany.

1. Good branching;

2. Early flower; and

3. Good performance.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

This new carnation plant is illustrated by the accompanying photograph which shows the flowers and foliage of the plant. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photograph was taken in April 2010 of a 5-month-old plant grown from rooted cuttings in a 10 centimeter pot in a glass-covered greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany under conditions which approximate those generally used in horticultural practice.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘KLEDG10118’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Stuttgart, Germany. The plant history was taken in Spring 2010 on 5-month-old plants in 10 centimeter pots that were pinched once at week 45 and grown in a glass-covered greenhouse. The color readings were determined under natural light. Color references are to the RHS Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), Fifth Edition (2007).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Caryophyllaceae.         -   Genus and species.—Dianthus caryophyllus.         -   Common name.—Carnation. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary carnation             ‘Dianthus×allwoodii’ (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—The proprietary carnation ‘DCP 06 020’             (unpatented). -   Plant:     -   -   Form.—Potted plant.         -   Habit.—Upright, round.         -   Height (from top of soil).—7.0 cm to 10.0 cm.         -   Width (spread).—10.0 cm to 12.0 cm.         -   Life cycle.—Perennial.         -   Flowering habit.—Continuous.         -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant.—4 months.         -   Propagation type.—Vegetative cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots.—16 days.         -   Root description.—Fine; RHS NN155C (White).         -   Temperature tolerances.—+30° C. to −15° C. -   Branches:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—8 to 12.         -   Color.—RHS 137A.         -   Length.—4.0 cm to 7.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.4 cm.         -   Internode length.—0.2 cm to 0.4 cm.         -   Texture.—Smooth. -   Leaves:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.         -   Shape.—Lanceolate.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Obtuse.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Color.—Immature leaf (both upper and lower surfaces): RHS             138A Mature leaf (both upper and lower surfaces): RHS N138B.         -   Length.—2.0 cm to 6.0 cm.         -   Width.—0.3 cm to 0.4 cm.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Venation color.—Upper surface: RHS 138B Lower surface: RHS             138C.         -   Petioles.—Absent. -   Flowers:     -   -   Blooming habit.—Small sprays.         -   Flower type.—Double.         -   Flowering season.—Early Spring to late Autumn.         -   Width.—3.0 cm.         -   Depth.—1.3 cm.         -   Shape.—Round.         -   Fragrance.—Present.         -   Number of flowers per plant.—7 to 10. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Color.—RHS 137C.         -   Shape.—Elliptic.         -   Length.—0.5 cm to 1.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.5 cm to 0.7 cm. -   Petals:     -   -   Arrangement.—Arranged in several whorls.         -   Quantity (per flower).—Greater than 15 to 20.         -   Shape.—Spoon-shaped.         -   Apex.—Obtuse.         -   Margin.—Serrate.         -   Base.—Acute.         -   Length.—1.2 cm.         -   Width.—1.0 cm.         -   Color.—When opening: Upper surface: RHS N74A and RHS 64A (at             eye) Lower surface: RHS N74C When fully opened: Upper             surface: RHS N74D and RHS 61A (at eye) Lower surface: RHS             75C         -   Texture (both surfaces).—Smooth. -   Sepals:     -   -   Calyx.—Form: Cylinder vase Length: 1.2 cm Width: 0.6 cm.         -   Arrangement.—Fused.         -   Quantity (per flower).—4 to 5.         -   Shape.—Elliptic.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Obtuse.         -   Margin.—Smooth.         -   Length.—0.5 cm.         -   Width.—0.4 cm.         -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS N138A to RHS N138D Lower surface:             RHS 138A to RHS 138D.         -   Texture (both surfaces).—Smooth. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Length.—6.0 cm to 8.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.2 cm.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—RHS N138A. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Pistils.—Quantity: 1 Stigma color: RHS 69D Ovary color: RHS             139D.         -   Stamens: Quantity: Moderate Filament: Length: 0.8 cm Color:             RHS 139D Anther color: RHS 139C Pollen: Amount: Moderate             Color: RHS 139C. -   Fruit and seed set: None observed. -   Disease and insect resistance: No particular resistance or     susceptibility to common carnation diseases or insect pests has been     observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL VARIETIES

‘KLEDG10118’ differs from the female parent, the proprietary Carnation plant ‘Dianthus ×allwoodii’ (unpatented), in that ‘KLEDG10118’ has very early, purple pink flowers with a dark center and good branching, while ‘Dianthus×allwoodii’ has medium early, light pink flowers and less branching.

‘KLEDG10118’ differs from the male parent, the proprietary Carnation plant ‘DCP 06 020’ (unpatented), in that ‘KLEDG10118’ has purple pink flowers with a dark center and good branching, while ‘DCP 06 020’ has white flowers with a dark center and less branching. 

1. A new-and distinct variety of carnation plant named ‘KLEDG10118’ as shown and described herein. 